More Koreans Traveling to Japan Than Combined Total of US, China, and Hong Kong

Top Visitors to Japan in May: 1.89 Million Koreans
Due to Yen Depreciation and Low Airfare Prices

Among foreigners who visited Japan last May, Koreans were the most numerous, according to a survey. The increase in Korean visits to Japan is attributed to the special benefits of the weak yen and affordable flight prices.

According to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) on the 22nd, the number of foreigners who visited Japan in May was 1,898,900, which is 12.9 times higher than a year ago. However, this figure is still 31.5% lower than that of May 2019, before the outbreak of COVID-19.

As the value of the Japanese yen has fallen to an all-time low, the number of tourists visiting Japan is increasing. On the 16th, travelers at Seoul Gimpo International Airport were waiting to check their luggage. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

By nationality, among foreigners who visited Japan last month, Koreans were the largest group with 515,700 visitors, followed by Taiwan (303,300), the United States (183,400), Hong Kong (154,400), and China (134,400).

While China has not yet resumed group tours to Japan, Koreans have accounted for the highest proportion of foreign visitors to Japan this year.

In fact, among the 8,638,500 foreign visitors to Japan from January to May, Koreans numbered 2,583,400, accounting for 29.9%.

Regarding the increase in visitors, the Japan Tourism Agency evaluated that the resumption of cruise ship calls in March significantly contributed to the rise in foreign visitors. In fact, the number of cruise ships entering Japan, including scheduled arrivals, is expected to reach 69 in 2023, more than double the record high of 31 ships in 2017.

The number of visitors in May was about 50,000 fewer than in April, as May is the off-season following the cherry blossom season. However, the recovery trend continues, with increases in tourists from Singapore and the United States driving the overall growth.

Record-low Yen... Popularity of Japan Travel Likely to Continue for the Time Being

As the value of the Japanese yen has fallen to an all-time low, the number of tourists visiting Japan is increasing. On the 16th, travelers at Seoul Gimpo International Airport were waiting to check their luggage. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The historic low yen exchange rate has reduced travel costs, making trips to Japan even more attractive.

On the 19th, the KRW/JPY exchange rate briefly fell below 900 won per 100 yen, entering the 800 won range for the first time in eight years since June 25, 2015.

Japan’s short flight time, which allows travelers to make weekend trips with minimal time burden, is also a factor in its popularity.

With overseas travel demand surging explosively after the endemic phase (resumption of economic activities), and the economic burden being low, the number of tourists visiting Japan is expected to continue increasing for the time being.

The gradual improvement in Korea-Japan relations since the summit in March and the recovery of air routes between the two countries to pre-COVID-19 levels are also cited as factors boosting the popularity of travel to Japan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.